Is Cyberwarfare merely an act in support of war, or can it exist as an act of war unti itself? To this, one might juxtapose the realities of Cyberwarfare with both traditional and modern concepts of war. However, as one who holds a poststructualist theory of international relations would suggest, ‘Cyberwarfare’ is a term of the English language, and is therefore malleable and whether it falls into the category of an “Act of War” depends entirely on how we define it. This problem, described as the ‘Indefinite Line’, has posed problems for both military planners and legal experts alike as both seek to determine doctrine and laws respectively. Where a realist might argue that defining cyberwarfare is a waste of time and rather one should examine the interests at play, a constructivist could argue that Cyberwarfare exists so long as states say it exists & pour resources into funding it. Whilst the world is yet to experience a ‘Pearl Harbour style’ Cyberattack that might conclusively determine as to whether or not Cyberwarfare can be considered an act of war, the lack of such an attack does not dissuade from a comparison or contrast with war as a
Is Cyberwarfare merely an act in support of war, or can it exist as an act of war unti itself? To this, one might juxtapose the realities of Cyberwarfare with both traditional and modern concepts of war. However, as one who holds a poststructualist theory of international relations would suggest, ‘Cyberwarfare’ is a term of the English language, and is therefore malleable and whether it falls into the category of an “Act of War” depends entirely on how we define it. This problem, described as the ‘Indefinite Line’, has posed problems for both military planners and legal experts alike as both seek to determine doctrine and laws respectively. Where a realist might argue that defining cyberwarfare is a waste of time and rather one should examine the interests at play, a constructivist could argue that Cyberwarfare exists so long as states say it exists & pour resources into funding it. Whilst the world is yet to experience a ‘Pearl Harbour style’ Cyberattack that might conclusively determine as to whether or not Cyberwarfare can be considered an act of war, the lack of such an attack does not dissuade from a comparison or contrast with war as a